Americans love their dogs, and it is nearly impossible to leave your home in a populated area without running into a dog or two being walked, riding in a car, or even in certain stores. Unfortunately, dogs are capable of causing extremely serious injury when they bite people – which occurs some 4.5 million times each year in the United States.
If you are like most people, when you think about the injuries caused by dog bites, you think of scratches, scrapes and bruises. While these are certainly common results of a dog bite, they are also capable of causing extremely serious complications, some of which could have a long-term effect on victims. Some of these include the following:
- Serious infections – Contrary to what you may have been told, dog’s mouths are full of millions of bacteria, some of which are capable of causing serious infections that may even require hospitalization. In fact, people have even been known to have limbs amputated because of infections caused by dog bites.
- Nerve Damage – Dog bites are easily capable of causing damage to your nerves. Nerves are slow to heal and, in some cases, never completely heal. As a result, many dog bite victims deal with long-term issues related to nerve damages, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness.
- Emotional Issues – Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience. Many victims develop a debilitating fear of dogs or may even struggle with issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or severe anxiety around dogs and other animals.
- Scarring – Dog bites often, and usually do leave permanent scarring to the victim. This can have a life-long affect, particularly if it is to the face or other exposed areas.
Call a Hartford Dog Bite Attorney Today to Discuss Your Legal Options
Dog bites often leave victims with medical problems that go far beyond simple cuts and scrapes, and the owners of vicious dogs should be held responsible for the damage their animals cause. At Leighton, Katz & Drapeau, we have the skill and experience required to ensure that dog bite victims get the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation with a Hartford dog bite lawyer, call us today at 860-875-7000 or send us an email through our online contact form.
